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      What happens if teams are level on points, goal difference and goals scored at the World Cup?

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      QATAR host the 2022 World Cup in what promises to be an entertaining affair this winter.Brazil, France and England are the frontrunners to win the whole thing, with 2018 finalists Croatia are considered an outsider.
      Qatar has been hit by World Cup feverCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Southgate’s men will have to overcome Iran, the USMNT and Wales if they are to stand any chance of success, while Brazil face Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in the group.
      There is a chance that teams will finish level on points in the group stages, seeing their fates decided on goal difference – but what happens if their goal difference and goals scored are identical too?
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      What happens if teams are level on points, goal difference and goals scored at the World Cup?
      If teams finish level on points at the end of the group stage, the decision on who goes through will be decided as the team who scored the most goals out of those in question would progress.
      However, there is a chance that teams will finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored during the tournament in Qatar with a tight group stage expected.
      If this happens, there is a set of criteria that will be followed, with head-to-head coming into play as well as the potential of fair play points being utilised.
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      The criteria is as follows:

      Points obtained in the matches played between the teams level on point
      Goal difference in the matches played between the teams level on points
      Number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams level on points
      Fair play points in all group matches

      The fair play point deductions are as follows (only one deduction can be applied to a player in a single match):

      Yellow card: -1 point
      Indirect (second yellow) red card: -3 points
      Direct red card: -4 points
      Yellow card and later a direct red card: -5 points

      Have teams ever finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored at the World Cup?
      Teams have finished level on all three variables once in World Cup history, and it came pretty recently.
      Japan progressed ahead of Senegal despite finishing level on points and goals scored in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Senegal and Japan both finished on four points in Group H as Russia hosted the tournament with an identical goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded against each other after the criteria was followed.
      However, Japan progressed due to amassing more fair play points than the Africa nation. The Japanese saw a deduction of -4 in comparison to Senegal’s -6 points, seeing them through to the knockouts. More

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      When did Canada last qualify for the World Cup?

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      CANADA enter unfamiliar territory as they compete in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this year.John Herdman’s side earned the right to play on the biggest stage of international football after qualifying.
      Alphonso Davies will be playing in his first World Cup for CanadaCredit: Getty
      Thrashing Jamaica 4-0 on the penultimate day of CONCACAF qualifying, Canada ensured that they would make it to the tournament in Qatar.
      They will now be hopeful of making it through a tough group, facing Belgium, Croatia and Morocco before the knock-out stages.
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      When did Canada last qualify for the World Cup?
      The Maple Leafs have only ever qualified for the World Cup once before reaching the finals in Qatar.
      The last time Canada played at the World Cup dates back to 1986 in MexicoCredit: Getty
      To find the last time the nation made it to the World Cup, you have to go back to 1986 as Mexico hosted the tournament 36 years ago.
      Despite qualifying unbeaten, racking up five wins and three losses, Canada had a disappointing tournament and went crashing out at the group stages with three losses.
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      They will be looking to improve on this but face a tough task in their group against highly rated Belgium and 2018 finalists Croatia as well as Morocco.
      Canada will make it consecutive World Cup appearances for the first time in their history, having already qualified for the 2026 tournament as a co-host alongside the USA and Mexico. More

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      England fans could be sent to ‘sobering up tents’ and given warning during 2022 World Cup as Qatar crack down on boozing

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      ENGLAND supporters and other nations fans will have special zones at the World Cup to sober up.Alcohol will move from just hotel bars in Qatar to fan zones and will also be sold outside stadiums during the tournament.
      England fans could be moved to ‘sobering tents’ at the World Cup in QatarCredit: Alamy
      The Middle East nation is a predominantly Muslim country which has restricted public drinking laws.
      Now it has been decided that authorities will control public drunkenness at the World Cup by having an alternative to arrests or jail time for those fans that have one too many.
      Qatar’s World Cup chief Nasser Al Khater told Sky News: “There are plans in place for people to sober up if they’ve been drinking excessively.
      “It’s a place to make sure that they keep themselves safe, they’re not harmful to anybody else.”
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      It has also been reported elsewhere that individuals that end up in the “sobering tent” will have to remain there until they are judged to be OK to be released with a warning.
      Fans heading to Qatar will be able to drink for up to 19 HOURS a day a the official fan festival.
      There will also be a fan zone curated by Arcadia, hosts of the spectacular arena which features at the Glastonbury Festival.
      But a pint won’t come cheap – with a beer expected to cost £8.

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      Drinking at the tournament has not been the only major issue dominating the headlines.
      And when quizzed on anti-LGBTQIA+ laws within Qatar, Al Khater insisted that gay supporters are able to hold hands throughout the showpiece – which runs from November 20 to December 18.
      He was adamant that no gay persons would be discriminated against in this respect. 
      Same-sex partnerships are not recognised in Qatar and are punishable by law in some cases.
      Al Khater added: “All we ask is for people to be respectful of the culture.
      “At the end of the day, as long as you don’t do anything that harms other people, if you’re not destroying public property, as long as you’re behaving in a way that’s not harmful, then everybody’s welcome and you have nothing to worry about.”
      Another issue for fans to watch out for is taking their tops off.
      Those who strip off have been warned they face being slapped with a hefty fine.
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      England will begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21.
      They then take on USA on November 25 before their final group clash with Wales four days later. More

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      Who is Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan and is he from Croatia?

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      CANADA goalkeeper Milan Borjan has been a constant in the national side for over a decade now.With the Canadians only playing at one World Cup in their history, the 2022 tournament marks the second occasion that they participate in the competition.
      Milan Borjan celebrates for Red Star Belgrade in Europa League actionCredit: Reuters
      Englishman John Herdman led his side to qualification after joining in 2018 after a successful seven years with the Canada women’s team.
      And Herdman will look to his experienced goalkeeper to lead Canada as they face Belgium, Croatia and Morocco in Group F.
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      Who is Milan Borjan and is he from Croatia?
      Matchday two of the tournament will hold significant relevance to Borjan as Canada take on Croatia to battle for a place in the round of 16 in Qatar.
      The 34-year-old made his debut for Canada back in 2011, initially receiving a call-up to the national team in 2010 and being a staple of Canucks ever since.
      Milan Borjan receives medical attention for Canada against UruguayCredit: Reuters
      However, Borjan was in fact born in Croatia, Canada’s Group F opponents.
      Born in Knin, the goalkeeper began playing with Dinara Knin’s youth side before his family fled to Belgrade in Serbia. From here, Borjan’s talents were spotted as he played for FK Radnicki Beograd.
      Once again, his family relocated as they emigrated to Canada in 2000, with the goalkeeper just 13-years-old.
      Milan Borjan has come up against opponents such as Liverpool’s Mohamed SalahCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Living in Canada, Borjan played for East Hamilton SC before moving to Mount Hamilton SC as a youngster and searching for his break in professional football.
      After being rejected by Boca Juniors after a trial in Argentina in 2005, Borjan joined Club Nacional in Uruguay, playing for their youth team a year later.
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      His first professional contract came with another South American side, Quilmes in Argentina, but he was only at the club for a matter of months before returning to Serbia to join FK Rad, where he first earned a national call-up for Canada rather than his country of birth, Croatia.
      The goalkeeper enjoyed a spell at Turkish side Sivasspor, as well as Ludogrets, and currently ply’s his trade in Serbia at Red Star Belgrade where he has played in the UEFA Champions League.
      The World Cup will be the highest level that the shot-stopper has played at, with the Canada international looking to make history in what could be his first and only tournament. More

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      Chelsea star Reece James could MISS World Cup as scans show injury worse than feared with decision to make over surgery

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      REECE JAMES is reportedly in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup due to the knee injury he sustained in Chelsea’s win at AC Milan.He went down twice at the San Siro on Tuesday until he was substituted on 62 minutes.
      Reece James is reportedly a doubt to make the World Cup after his injury against MilanCredit: Rex
      The star suffered a knee injury and it’s worse than first fearedCredit: AP
      That left both Blues and Three Lions fans anxiously waiting to find out the extent of the damage.
      Both the player and Chelsea believed that the blow was nothing serious at first.
      The versatile full-back even joined his team-mates on the pitch after the final whistle and then stayed in Milan on Wednesday before returning home on an easyJet flight rather than head straight for medical tests.
      However, Football.London now claim that James is understood to have undergone further scans yesterday.
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      And they have revealed that the extent of the injury is worse than initially hoped. 
      Chelsea medical chiefs are reportedly deciding whether the 22-year-old requires surgery.
      And that will be just as much of a worry for Blues boss Graham Potter as it is for England manager Gareth Southgate.
      In his press conference on Friday, Potter said: “He is due to see a specialist over the weekend. Until we get that, there’s not too much I can add. 

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      “It would be speculation on my perspective. Let’s wait and see. He felt not too bad yesterday but until you get these things checked, you never know.”
      The World cup kicks-off in Qatar in just over a month’s time.
      Now his place in the Three Lions squad appears to be under serious threat.
      England will begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21.
      They then take on USA on November 25 before their final group clash with Wales four days later.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea have a bumper month of action before domestic football breaks up for the showpiece in Qatar.
      They have Premier League games with Aston Villa, Brentford, Manchester United, Brighton, Arsenal and Newcastle before the tournament.
      They also have final Champions League group games with Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb as well as a League Cup showdown with Manchester City. More

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      Why is Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry coaching Belgium and does he manage a club side?

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      THIERRY HENRY would never have imagined that he would be associated with a team nicknamed ‘the Red Devils’ but thankfully for Arsenal fans, their legend is coaching Belgium rather than Manchester United. The Arsenal legend has made his desires clear as he wishes to become a head coach himself after learning under the likes of Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola during his playing career.
      Thierry Henry and Belgium boss Roberto MartinezCredit: Reuters
      However, for now, he holds the role as second assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.
      But why is the Frenchman part of the coaching team and does he manage a club side? We have all the answers.
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      Why is Thierry Henry coaching Belgium?
      Embarking on his coaching journey with Arsenal’s youth teams back in 2015, he was later offered the job of under-18’s coach but this decision was overruled by Wenger, wanting a full-time coach for the side rather than Henry, who wished to continue on a part-time basis alongside working for Sky Sports.
      This led the Frenchman to look for roles elsewhere before joining Martinez’s backroom staff at Belgium and remained part of the team for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, helping the European giants finish third.
      Thierry Henry and Graeme Souness working for Sky Sports TelevisionCredit: Getty
      Does Thierry Henry coach a club side?
      Henry’s first club role came in October 2018 after speculation surrounding the Bourdeaux job in his home country, but declined this opportunity and took the reigns at his former club Monaco instead.
      However, the manager was dismissed from his role in France while his side were 19th in Ligue 1 with a four wins, five draws and 11 defeats from 20 matches.
      Thierry Henry took charge of MonacoCredit: Reuters
      10 months later, Henry embarked on his second spell in club management after being appointed at Montreal Impact, returning to the MLS for the first time since playing for New York Red Bulls between 2010 and 2014.
      Henry’s time in Canada was more successful than his stint at Monaco, leading his Montreal Impact team to their first play-off finish in four seasons. However, he stepped down in February 2021 to be closer to his children in London, having been unable to travel to see them for the whole of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Two months later, Henry re-joined the coaching staff of Belgium ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2020.
      Thierry Henry’s most recent managerial role was at Montreal ImpactCredit: Reuters
      Is Thierry Henry looking to return to club management?
      The Belgium coach has recently confirmed his intentions to return to club management, stating: “Yes, I would like to think so, maybe. I turned some down because I want to see it through with Belgium and not leave them on the way to the World Cup, because, you know, it’s a weird one to leave.
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      “I just want to go back and help, especially with the youngsters. After that (Monaco) I went to Montreal. People will say that’s not very glamorous, but it’s not about that.
      “It’s about me getting better and also, the best relationships I’ve had at those teams so far is with the youngsters.”
      Therefore, it looks like we could see Henry return to management in the near future. More

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      England vs Iran: Date, TV channel, live stream and kick-off time for Three Lions’ opening World Cup 2022 clash

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      ENGLAND begin their 2022 World Cup campaign with a clash against tournament minnows Iran. The Three Lions’ last World Cup campaign ended in agony as they lost 2-1 to Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2018 edition in Russia.
      England were left devastated after losing the World Cup 2018 semi-final to CroatiaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      England beat Hungary 4-0 in Budapest during World Cup qualifyingCredit: Reuters
      But four years on from then, and with a Euro 2020 final appearance in the bag too, Gareth Southgate’s men are looking to finally overcome the very last hurdle.
      It’s been 56 years since England won their first and only World Cup, and expectations of the team continue to grow every four years.
      Iran will be their first test, before further group stage clashes with rivals Wales and 2010 World Cup does USA.
      This tournament could be make or break for Southgate, who may view the Qatar showpiece as his last opportunity to finally win major silverware as England boss.

      When is England vs Iran?

      England’s 2022 World Cup opener with Iran will get underway from 1pm UK time on Monday, November 21.
      The game will be held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar’s capital Doha.
      The stadium was opened in 1976 and can hold up to 45,000 fans.

      What TV channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      England vs Iran will be shown live on BBC One in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The game is FREE to watch on the BBC, so long as you have a TV licence.

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      When will England’s 26-man squad be announced?
      After a rule change by FIFA, World Cup squads will now be allowed to name 26-man squads rather than the previously permitted 23.
      Each manager has to select their 26-man squad by November 13, a week before the tournament starts. More

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      Robert Page set to sign four-year Wales deal to officially take over from Ryan Giggs after leading Dragons to World Cup

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      ROBERT PAGE is set to sign a new four-year deal with Wales.The Dragons boss led his country to their first World Cup since 1958 after a play-off final triumph over Ukraine in June.
      Robert Page is set to be handed a new deal after booking Wales’ place at the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Ryan Giggs is currently on trial facing charges of domestic violenceCredit: Splash
      Talks have been ongoing since then but SunSport can reveal Page is close to agreeing the long-term contract with the Football Association of Wales with an official announcement due soon.
      And the fresh terms will include qualification campaigns for both Euro 2024 and the World Cup in 2026.
      Page has been in charge of Wales since Ryan Giggs was arrested in November 2020 before the ex-Manchester United winger eventually stood down in June ahead of his domestic violence trial.
      The 41-cap former defender, who was Giggs’ assistant before taking on the manager’s job on an interim basis, will lead the Dragons against USA on November 21 in Qatar before also facing Iran and arch rivals England in Group B.
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      Page has been in charge for 24 matches, winning ten, drawing eight and losing just six games and, after the victory over Ukraine, had his current deal extended by the FAW until the end of the World Cup.
      But the new contract will allow the 47-year-old to plan for the future and end any uncertainty over his position.
      SunSport reported Wales stars Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey had been alarmed at the lack of progress on Page’s contract.
      Captain Bale, who plans to play at Euro 2024 and possibly even the World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico should Wales qualify, had already publicly pledged his support that Page should become the nation’s long-term manager beyond this winter’s finals.
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      Bale said in June: “He is the long-term manager. I don’t think there is any question in the changing room or from the fans.
      “He’s done an incredible job coming in in difficult circumstances.
      “I guess that’s why you achieve big things when your team is happy and your manager is doing well.” More